Thinkertots vs MakerKids Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Thinkertots vs MakerKids including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Thinkertots Franchise
MakerKids Franchise
Investment $83,100 - $124,100$152,750 - $399,000
Franchise Fee $35,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 7%8%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 19982013
Year Franchised 20052018
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Thinkertots Franchise
MakerKids Franchise
Experience -- Passion for working with kids - Thirst for knowledge - Glass half full mindset (60% optimist, 40% realist) - An Excellent Credit History - Leadership Skills - A Desire to Succeed - A Desire to Make A Difference - No past bankruptcies - No past criminal record - Willing to get out there and make sales - Persistence - Desire to listen, share and be compliant - Being happy is more important to you than being right - Customer-oriented Wait, I don’t know how to teach STEM! - Don’t worry. If you don’t have a teaching background, you can still excel as a MakerKids franchisee. In fact, the backgrounds of our ideal franchisees vary greatly – from engineers and accountants to teachers and homemakers, and everything in between. MakerKids franchise training was designed to level the playing field. We teach you all that you need to know about running a business that deals with STEM instruction.

Financing Options

 
Thinkertots Franchise
MakerKids Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/-
Inventory No/Yes-/-
Receivables No/Yes-/-
Payroll No/Yes-/-

Training & Support

 
Thinkertots Franchise
MakerKids Franchise
Training * Available at headquarters: 2 weeks

* At franchisee's location: 4 days

- Five (5) days Training in Toronto, Canada - Five (5) days On-Site Training - Education/Curriculum: MakerKids® Lesson Plans Options for additional training*: - Internal Training with support and guidance from MK Training Team via Teleconferences, GoTo Meeting and Webinars - Additional Training available at MK HQ in Toronto, Canada - Additional On-Site Training available *Please inquire about additional training.
Support -- Advertising and Marketing: Initial supply of Presentation materials and Templates. - Usage of proprietary Operations Manual - Use of MakerKids® Name, Logo and Trademarks - Annual training and workshop - MakerKids new releases and new concepts
Marketing -- Use of MakerKids® Name, Logo and Trademarks - Presentation Material & Templates
Operations * 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

* Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 3

* Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

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Expansion Plans

 
Thinkertots Franchise
MakerKids Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion -Yes
International Expansion -Yes

Company Overviews

About Thinkertots

The Thinkertots method is founded on the belief that the key ingredients to future school success are: 1. A love of learning. 2. An ability to concentrate and focus. 3. An ability to follow directions. 4. Enjoyment of books and reading. 5. Getting along with others. Your child works on these important goals in every class he/she takes! The latest educational materials and methods help your child progress and master new challenges. You child will love our staff and unique approach and so will you. Make Thinkertots home for all of your child's early educational needs! Thinkertots has been featured by Fox News Channel's Fox and Friends, The New York Daily News, Long Island Newsday, and other media.

Do you think a Thinkertots Preschool Education Franchise might be for you?

About MakerKids

MakerKids runs award-winning STEM programs on Coding, Robotics and Minecraft. We use technology as a medium to help build confidence, social skills, change-making abilities and a positive relationship with technology. Kids have started businesses, won prizes from NASA, been published in magazines, and had positive mental health outcomes. MakerKids was named the #1 franchise concept in the NextGen in Franchising Competition at the International Franchise Association Conference from over 400 entrants.
 To describe the franchise in one word: transformative 
- Target Market: Ages 6-13, including Special Needs students 
- Location-based + mobile business/satellite locations: owner to operate multiple satellite locations e.g. at schools 
- Camps, After-School Programs and Parties 
- MakerKids® teaches STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) topics: Coding, Robotics and Minecraft 
- Education/Curriculum: Proprietary Lesson Plans 
- Advertising/Marketing: Presentation Material & Templates 
- Online Parent Registration

We have been featured by Forbes, Wired, and more. Your dream career awaits. Help empower the makers of tomorrow. Inquire today.